Aberlour

Aberlour is the largest, purely Scottish, children’s charity. Every year we help over 6,000 children, young people and their families to cope with major obstacles such as disability, exclusion, parental drug and alcohol dependency and family breakdown.

In Scotland, the number of children with severe and complex disabilities is increasing. At Aberlour we encourage children to live as full a life as possible and our 9 disability centres across the country provide a home for home for children with multiple disabilities. We desperately need your help to keep these services running to help children like Karen.

Karen has complex physical needs due to spinal scoliosis and she is blind. Karen spends one week in eight at Aberlour’s Bankfoot service in Prestonpans to give her parents and brother a break. Karen enjoys listening to music and likes to play with tactile toys and responds well to foot and hand massages. On behalf of Karen and the many more children we care for. Thank you.

Action for Children

Action for Children is here to make sure any child who needs our help gets our help – whatever their background and wherever they are in the UK.

Our team of 5,000 staff and 2,000 volunteers provide practical local services for children, proven to work. We’re across the UK, likely to be working very close to where you are.

Since 1869 (almost 150 years) we’ve been working on ever more effective ways to help change children’s lives for the better. Whether through fostering, adoption, residential care or short breaks for disabled children, to running local children’s centres, nurseries, family support and youth services.

370,000 children and families benefitted from our services in the past year. Today, state funding for children’s services is in severe decline which is why we urgently need greater public support. We also need to earn this support, which is why we always show where money is being spent and the difference we make.

By working together, we will succeed by doing what’s right, doing what’s needed, and doing what works for children.

After Adoption

After Adoption is a voluntary adoption agency working throughout England and Wales to help all those affected by adoption. From placing children with adoptive parents to supporting birth families and reuniting families separated through adoption, we can work with all groups of people affected by adoption.

Over the past twenty years, we have pioneered work with birth mothers in prison, search and reunion services and work with adopted young people. Adoption has a huge impact on both individuals, their families and the society we live in. Done well, it can transform the lives of children in the care system and give them the opportunity to reach their full potential as adults. After Adoption is here for the 1 in 4 people who have been affected by adoption.

BBC Children In Need

BBC Children in Need's vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential.

We are currently supporting c.2,500 projects across the UK that are working with children facing a range of disadvantages for example, poverty and deprivation; disabled young people and children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect.

This year’s Appeal is on Friday 13 November and promises to be bigger and better than ever before so please make sure you get involved and help us to make a difference to children who need our help the most.

bibic

“A 5 year old little girl who was told she would never walk surprised us all by walking into bibic for her re-assessment. Her parents didn't tell us she had learned to walk. We were all in tears” – Michelle, bibic therapist

This wonderful charity changes a life of a child living in the UK every day. Every year thousands of children are born with brain conditions which affect their lives in ways most of us cannot even begin to imagine.

bibic children’s charity offers the lifeline that desperate parents need (which sadly the government do not provide) to enable them to help their children reach their full potential, whatever that may be.

There are thousands of children we are unable to help due to financial constraints. bibic does not receive any financial support from the government and cannot compete with large charities who are able to market their cause.

Please support bibic so that one day, every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

bibic changes the lives of children with any condition affecting the brain, even if they are undiagnosed, to include autism, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, developmental delay, Down’s syndrome and dyspraxia.

Bliss

Bliss is the UK charity that cares for premature and sick babies. We are dedicated to ensuring that babies survive and go on to have the best possible quality of life. We provide practical and emotional support for families during an extremely difficult time, so they can give the best care to their babies. Our specialist study days and training supports doctors and nurses to develop their skills. We fund research to improve the care of all sick and premature babies. We raise awareness of the issues affecting special care babies and fight for essential change within government and the NHS.

ChildHope

ChildHope is a small UK registered charity working around the world with children who are in some of the most difficult and dangerous circumstances.

These include children who are:

Living or working on the streets or in slums

In prison or in contact with the law

Exposed to abuse at home or in schools

Orphaned or alone

At risk of HIV or denied treatment for AIDS

Engaged in the worst forms of child labour or sexual exploitation.

We support projects in ten countries in Africa, Asia and South America that challenge the many forms of violence suffered by children and young people.

Since 1989 ChildHope has provided support to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children, their families and communities around the world. The projects we currently support give priority to prevention, finding long lasting solutions and tackling the underlying causes of poverty and violence.

Childlife

Throughout the UK, thousands of children and young people are facing challenges in their lives as a result of illness, disability or social circumstances. Childlife helps to improve the lives of children and young people by raising funds for the work of its four member charities.

Our partner charities supporting children are Ataxia UK, Acorns Children’s Hospice, National Deaf Children’s Society and the National Children’s Bureau. Together they reach many thousands of children and young people every year, providing a range of direct services, information and advice to promote the interests and well being of all children and young people. In their different ways, the four charities are all providing support and information to improve the lives of children and young people every day.

Childreach International

Childreach International works with local communities in Africa, Asia and the UK to unlock children’s potential and protect their human rights. By helping to improve the quality of local schools (such as our school farming project in Tanzania) or supporting children to campaign for their own rights (such as our Children in Charge of Change project in India that is helping thousands of children escape child labour), Childreach International is a unique charity making a huge difference across the globe.

Children Change Colombia

Children Change Colombia is a UK registered charity dedicated to supporting Colombia 's most at risk children. By working in partnership with local NGOs we aim to improve the lives of children who have struggled in the face of the long-standing armed conflict, poverty, neglect, forced displacement and recruitment in armed groups.

As well as offering immediate relief to these children, we also focus on promoting longer-term, sustainable development through a range of education, healthcare, protection and peace-building initiatives. All of our projects encourage the active participation of children in building a better future for themselves, their community and the next generation. We believe that this type of grass-roots level investment is an important step towards a more peaceful Colombia.

Children in Crisis

Children in Crisis provides education, protection, and better life opportunities for children who because of war, remoteness, and lack of government services, are missing out on quality schooling. At the heart of our work is the belief that education improves health and livelihood, unites communities and builds peace. Education is the key to overcoming poverty and exclusion, so we pay particular attention to children and women who face discrimination or disadvantage, for reasons of ethnicity, gender, disability, income or other factors.

We work in partnership with local organisations and communities to improve education, healthcare and child protection, and we build their capacity to mobilise local resources, plan, deliver change, and sustain that change. We choose to work where few others do, in some of the most challenging places, and in areas affected by conflict or political instability such as in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Elizabeth Foundation

.....where deaf children learn to listen & speak for themselves

A National Charity providing unique family-centred services in Hampshire,
Hertfordshire and West Yorkshire and a Correspondence & Advisory service for
families with deaf babies and children, offering education, help and
support throughout the UK.

Family for Every Child

Family for Every Child is an international development charity working to stop children growing up vulnerable and alone.

More than 24 million children grow up without parental care, their survival often threatened by greater risk of malnutrition, violence and exploitation; their future lost by missing out on school, and their childhood. Working with local partners we keep children safe when they are alone and at risk. We protect children in danger of ending up on their own by keeping families together. And we get children back to a safe and caring family, wherever we can.

Great Ormond Street Hospital Childrens Charity

We need to raise £50 million every year to help rebuild and refurbish Great Ormond Street Hospital, buy vital equipment and fund pioneering research. With your help we provide world class care to our very ill children and their families.

These developments include contributing to the rebuilding and refurbishment of two thirds of the hospital and the Institute of Child Health. Funding the most up-to-date equipment and supporting the research into and development of new and better treatments and providing accommodation and other support services for families and staff.

I CAN

I CAN is the children’s communication charity. I CAN supports children from 0-19 through our Talk programmes and specialist schools, and through resources and information for parents, families and people who work with children. We work in nurseries and schools across the UK with our evidence-based programmes and run two special schools for children with the most severe and complex needs. We share our expertise and knowledge to increase awareness of communication difficulties and inform policy making.

Kidney Kids Scotland

Kidney Kids Scotland was founded in 2000 to help Scottish children with renal and urology problems and their families.

The charity does its utmost to support these families in any way that we can. This can often just be a listening ear or putting them in contact with another family with similar problems or giving them much needed financial help.

Kidney Kids Scotland provides support to hospitals all over Scotland supplying them with machinery and funding for essential posts.

Kids

KIDS is a national charity supporting disabled children, young people and their families.

Established in 1970, we currently work with around 7,000 disabled children and their families each year, providing a wide range of services.

We recognise that in order to support a disabled child, you must also support their family and so we work in partnership with parents and carers to enable disabled children and young people to develop their skills and abilities and to fulfil their potential, hopes and aspirations.

Little Havens Children’s Hospice

Little Havens Children’s Hospice is based in Thundersley near Southend but cares for life-limited children and their families from all over Essex, including parts of Kent and London. It provides respite and end-of-life care for youngsters who are not expected to reach adulthood. Little Havens costs Ł1.6 million every year to keep open with just two percent coming from statutory funding. All of the care and support given to children, siblings and families is free of charge.

Make-A-Wish Foundation UK

When a child is fighting a life-threatening condition, it has a huge impact on them and their whole family. The children Make-A-Wish support are often enduring things most of us could never imagine. They’re going through gruelling treatment, endless medical appointments and spending time in hospital away from their home, friends and family. A far cry from the childhood they should be enjoying.

Granting their One True Wish provides seriously ill children with hope for the future, strength to cope and resilience to fight their condition. They’re given quality time away from the daily realities of living with their condition and have the chance to make magical memories they can treasure forever – whatever their future may hold.

Over 30 more than years, Make-A-Wish has transformed the lives of more than 11,000 desperately ill children by granting their One True Wish. By giving a regular donation you can help grant these life-changing wishes. Thank you.

Ethan, 6, is living with a complex heart condition. When he turned to Make-A-Wish, funds donated by people like you helped to grant his One True Wish to be an American Police officer for the day, you can watch Ethan’s wish coming true here.

Muscle Help Foundation

The Muscle Help Foundation is a small family charity delivering highly personalised, transformational experiences in the UK called ‘Muscle Dreams’ for children and young people with the muscle wasting disease, Muscular Dystrophy (MD) and allied neuromuscular conditions. Our growing impact is being felt by beneficiaries and their families across the UK – from improved confidence, greater self-esteem, and an increased sense of hopefulness to a powerful shared identity that connects families, giving a platform to share knowledge, memories and establish lasting friendships. Find out more about our work, our impact and the difference your support can make in helping us change lives and give hope.

National Deaf Children's Society

The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting deaf children and young people to have a brighter future. There are 45,000 deaf children in the UK and NDCS works closely with deaf children and their families’ right from diagnosis throughout their childhood and teenage years to help them reach their full potential. We believe that every deaf child should have the same opportunities as any other child and if diagnosed early, there is no evidence to suggest that they could not achieve the same as their hearing peers. 8 out of 10 children will experience temporary hearing loss at least once due to conditions such as glue ear.

We are here to make sure that every deaf child has the help and support they need.

NSPCC

The NSPCC is the UK’s leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. We have been directly involved in protecting children and campaigning on their behalf since 1884. Our work includes 180 services throughout the UK. We also run 2 free helplines: our 24-hour child protection helpline that provides information, advice and counselling to anyone concerned about a child’s safety and ChildLine, the UK's confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people.

Rainbow Trust Children's Charity

Rainbow Trust Children's Charity provides practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness. For those families life can be unthinkably tough. We have teams of Family Support Workers across England who help families however they may need it; whether it be around the house, in the hospital, or collecting siblings from school. We are contactable 24 hours a day via our helpline for families in crisis and we are there from diagnosis, through treatment and even after bereavement and beyond.

Since Rainbow Trust was first founded in 1986, we have been able to help thousands of families. We rely almost entirely on voluntary donations, and in the past year we have been able to help over 2000 families in so many different ways.

Some of those families have shared their stories in short videos that are available on Youtube. In these clips they talk about the difference that Rainbow Trust has made to their lives. These really help us to raise our profile and tell more people about the work we do.

Save The Children

Save the Children are working flat out to ensure children get proper healthcare, food, education and protection. We're saving lives in emergencies, campaigning for children's rights, and improving their futures through long-term development work. Without your help we wouldn’t be able to save children’s lives. More than 9 million children are still dying every year before their fifth birthday.

Shooting Star Chase

Shooting Star Chase is a leading children’s hospice charity caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families.

Whether lives are measured in days, weeks, months or years, we are here to make every moment count. We support families from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.

Our bespoke support is free of charge to families and available 365 days a year. Our care service includes short breaks at our two hospices (Shooting Star House in Hampton and Christopher’s in Guildford), Hospice at Home, day care, symptom management, end-of-life care, bereavement care and a comprehensive range of therapies and support groups for the whole family.

Teens and Toddlers

Teens and Toddlers was founded in 2001 to address the social exclusion and low educational attainment of the most ‘at risk’ young people countrywide. Our unique approach transforms negative behaviour and raises the young people’s aspirations and self-esteem, whilst helping them understand the dangers of risky behaviour, such as alcohol, drugs and teen pregnancy.

Our ultimate aim is to encourage young people to achieve their potential and contribute to their communities.

The Book Bus

Our mobile libraries are helping thousands of children worldwide improve their education through the power of reading. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our local teams provide relevant and engaging books and reading support to over 1000 children every week.

Every pound donated helps us provide more libraries and puts more books into the hands of children. Your money helps us make a real difference to children’s lives every day.

The Childrens Society

The Children's Society is a leading national charity, driven by the belief that every child deserves a good childhood. We provide vital help and understanding for those forgotten children who face the greatest danger, discrimination or disadvantage in their daily lives; children who are unable to find the support they need anywhere else. Our network of projects helps tens of thousands of children and their families each year. Through our pioneering research and influential campaigning, we defend, safeguard and protect the childhood of all children.

Together for Short Lives

Together for Short Lives is the leading UK charity for all children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and all those who support, love and care for them.

We support families, professionals and services, including all children’s hospices. We work to ensure that every child living with a life-limiting condition and their family get the best possible care and support wherever they are, and whenever they need it.

Tommys

Tommy’s is a charity that exists to save babies’ lives as sadly, one in four women will lose a baby during pregnancy or birth. We fund medical research into the causes and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth, and provide a free information service that educates all parents-to-be about health in pregnancy. Through our work, we aim to halve the number of babies that die during pregnancy or birth by 2030.

Toybox

Toybox is a UK charity with a mission to end the injustice of children living and working on the streets. Street children are one of the world’s most vulnerable groups. We currently work across Latin America, India and Kenya to help to prevent children from taking the final step to street living, to rescue them when they do and to help them to restore their lives and build a new future for themselves away from the streets.

Unicef

UNICEF works with families, communities and governments in more than 190 countries to transform children’s lives by protecting and promoting their rights to education, health, childhood, to be treated fairly and to be heard.

UNICEF has more than 60 years’ experience working for children. On the ground we distribute life-saving supplies such as water kits and mosquito nets, and provide support and training. We create opportunities for young people to participate and make their voices heard. We use our influence at the highest levels of government to ensure that laws and policies work in the best interests of children.

UNICEF receives no funding from the UN budget. We are funded entirely by voluntary contributions and are only able to carry out our vital work thanks to the contributions of our supporters.

Variety, the Children's Charity

Variety, the Children's Charity gives support to sick, disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK, helping them to live enriched, independent lives.

Variety provides both practical help and memorable childhood experiences by providing Sunshine coaches and wheelchairs, specialist equipment making life easier for children with severe disabilities including hoists, feeding tubes, special car seats, sensory toys and communication aids.

Variety supports community groups and youth clubs offering disadvantaged children activities which help prevent anti-social behaviour. Also, the "Variety at Work" programme gives thousands of children the chance to enjoy fun and educational trips to theme parks, farms and museums; providing respite opportunities and helping children engage with their local communities.

WellChild

WellChild supports children and young people across the UK who have serious long-term illness and exceptional health needs. Through all aspects of our work we provide practical support to give these children and young people the best possible chance to thrive at home with their family.

We achieve this through: specialist nurses to get children out of hospital and living at home; research to better equip healthcare professionals, parents and carers; connecting families via social media & support groups; online information for parents and carers; bedroom and garden transformations to enhance daily quality of life. Over 98.5% of our work depends on voluntary donations.

Y Care International

Y Care International is the international relief and development agency of the YMCA movement in the UK and Ireland.

We’re creating opportunities for young people to help themselves out of poverty

• We help young people help themselves out of poverty, by finding jobs or setting up businesses• We work with young men and women aged 15-24 made vulnerable by poverty, inequality and injustice• We enable young people in the UK and internationally to make change as active citizens• We work with a unique network of YMCAs and other partners in 15 of the poorest countries – mainly in Africa as well as Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East

By 2020, we will create opportunities for over 60,000 vulnerable young women and men and their communities every year through enterprise and employment.